Village Preservation is working with fellow local preservation organizations and parishioners to preserve the endangered historic Most Holy Redeemer Church at 173 East 3rd Street (Avenues A and B) in the East Village. With roots in waves of immigration dating back to the 1840s, the church was once one of the largest in the city and one of its tallest structures. A devastating fire at its school led to pioneering reforms in fire safety measures that remain with us today, and the church, which was restyled over time, was the site of significant innovations in the use of electricity in church structures as well as the introduction of Gregorian chants at Catholic churches. Read more about its fascinating history in our letter to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission urging them to landmark the structures HERE (you can also learn more about the building’s history from our recent program HERE). 

Most Holy Redeemer has been a cornerstone of the East Village community for over a century and a half, and embodies so much of this neighborhood’s and New York’s rich immigrant history and culture. Recent moves halting masses there show the future of this historic site is in doubt. The Landmarks Preservation Commission has had a poor track record of preserving churches, synagogues, and other historic sites in the East Village in recent years, and in general has become increasingly averse to landmarking and preserving endangered historic sites. So they need to hear from YOU that Most Holy Redeemer Church and its history MUST be preserved.

TO HELP: